In a speech lasting about 37 minutes, Donald Trump took the podium at the UN General Assembly and spoke harshly against Iran, presenting the conflict with Tehran as one of the greatest challenges facing U.S. foreign policy and leaving open the possibility of new military actions.
It is worth noting that while he was speaking about the U.S. conflict with Iran, two of the three members of the Iranian delegation who were in the hall stood up and left.
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The U.S. president argued that, since his return to the White House, he has chosen action over “endless discussions,” stating: “While others were talking, I took action. While others were talking about peace, I brought peace. While others were ignoring the threats, I confronted them.”
Referring to relations with Tehran, Trump presented his own account of how events unfolded after he took office, arguing that his administration sought to pave the way for an agreement with Iran, offering economic cooperation in exchange for ending the nuclear program and support for terrorist organizations.
“But they refused. They refused outright. It was a big mistake,” he said emphatically.
He then referred to Operation “Midnight Hammer,” claiming that the U.S. military “destroyed” Iran’s nuclear program, which, he said, was protected beneath mountains and in fortified facilities.
“Once again, I called on Iran to reach an agreement. Once again, they refused,” he said.
The U.S. president also claimed that Tehran had developed missiles capable of striking Europe, portraying Iran’s arsenal as a direct threat to international security.
“Should I make a deal or wipe out the Islamic Republic?”
Later in his speech, Trump posed the dilemma that, as he said, now faces the United States.
“I have a big decision to make,” he said, outlining two options: reaching a deal that would allow the Iranian economy to recover, or continuing the pressure with even tougher measures.
“Do I annihilate the Islamic Republic—and do it quickly?” he said pointedly, adding at another point: “Do I drive them into hell?”
Despite threats of escalation, Trump reiterated his belief that a deal with Iran will ultimately be reached after the U.S. midterm elections in November.
“I believe we’ll reach an agreement right after the elections, because it makes no sense for them not to,” he said.
“Iran is behaving badly because it is weak”
The U.S. president argued that Tehran’s stance stems not from strength but from weakness.
“Iran behaves badly, not because it is strong and confident, but because it is weak and desperate,” he said.
At the same time, he called on UN member states to “stand united” in the face of Iranian policy, arguing that ending Tehran’s support for armed groups could lead to a significant de-escalation in the energy markets. “Oil prices will plummet,” he said.
Trump concluded by saying that “with courage and determination, anything is possible” and that “major changes can happen—and happen quickly.”
“I have ended eight wars”
In the same speech, Donald Trump also reiterated his claim that during his second term he has helped end eight wars, saying it was a “great honor” for him.
The list he presented includes the following conflicts:
Israel–Hamas
, Israel–Iran
, Egypt–Ethiopia
, India–Pakistan
, Serbia–Kosovo
, Rwanda–DR Congo
, Armenia – Azerbaijan
Cambodia – Thailand
The U.S. president claimed that nearly all of these countries sent him letters of thanks, and he noted that the prime minister of Pakistan told him that “he saved 30 million lives.”
Trump’s speech at the UN struck an overall triumphant tone, with the U.S. president presenting the U.S. economy, technology, and military as global leaders.
“America is back, and our country is stronger today than ever before,” he said, arguing that his administration inherited a “dark era” and transformed it into “America’s golden age.”
“The U.S. has no shortage of ammunition—we have more than we could possibly use.”
Trump then dismissed claims that the United States is facing ammunition shortages, arguing that the country has stockpiles at levels that “it couldn’t even think of using.”
“It is not true that the United States has low ammunition reserves. We have more ammunition than we could ever imagine using,” said the U.S. president, responding to recent reports of strain on U.S. military stockpiles.
Trump argued that his administration is increasing ammunition production “to levels we’ve never seen before,” noting that the U.S. is establishing new production facilities and bolstering its stockpiles.
“We’re building up our stockpiles faster than ever,” Trump said, essentially repeating a message he had posted earlier on social media, in which he accused those who claim the U.S. has limited stockpiles of being “cowards and traitors.”
“America will not tolerate threats in the Western Hemisphere.”
In the same speech, Donald Trump presented his administration’s actions in Venezuela as a major success and as a warning to other countries.
“Our actions in Venezuela prove that the United States will no longer allow threats against America to gain a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere,” he stated, adding that Washington would use “its unrivaled military power” if necessary to protect its national interests.
The U.S. president also referred to the operation in Venezuela, saying characteristically that “the spoils belong to the victor,” while discussing enhanced U.S. access to the country’s oil reserves.
“Freedom is coming to Cuba”
Trump then turned his attention to Cuba, stating that his administration seeks “fundamental change” on the island, which he characterized as a “failed state.” At that moment, the members of the Cuban delegation walked out of the room.
“It is failing like never before and will fall,” he said, claiming that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in negotiations with the Cuban side.
At the same time, he emphasized that the U.S. will not allow “a safe haven for foreign adversaries who threaten America in its own backyard.”
“Communism will never come to America, but freedom will come to Cuba,” he said emphatically.
“There will be agreements on Ukraine and Iran”
Referring to the war in Ukraine, Trump argued that the conflict is moving toward a resolution, saying that Washington is working closely with both sides.
“It’s happening faster than people realize,” he said, expressing concern about casualties on the battlefield.
“It’s time to stop the bloodshed,” he said, noting that he recently signed legislation granting him “enormous new powers regarding tariffs,” which he said he would use, if necessary, to put pressure on Russia.
The U.S. president also thanked his wife, Melania, for her efforts regarding the return of displaced people and children to Ukraine.
Concluding his remarks on Iran, Trump reiterated that the U.S. and Tehran will “definitely” reach an agreement.
“It will happen quickly. A lot has happened since the last time we met here a year ago,” he said.
Trump on Greenland: “The agreement with Denmark gives us permanent control over security”
In the agreement with Denmark, which, as he argued, will ensure the United States “permanent control over security,” in Greenland, Donald Trump referred to this at another point in his speech.
The U.S. president stated that the agreement, which he said would be signed later on Tuesday, provides for the initiation of a process to establish a significant U.S. military presence on the island.
“We will immediately begin the process of establishing a major military presence at suitable locations,” he said, adding that this includes the creation of “two very large military bases.”
Trump emphasized that the U.S. already has a strong military presence in Greenland, but argued that the new agreement would allow for the “expansion of the American footprint in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.”
“Superintelligence Will Prevail” – Trump’s Message on Artificial Intelligence
In his speech, Donald Trump also spoke at length about artificial intelligence, which he described as a technology that could surpass even the Industrial Revolution or the internet in significance.
The U.S. president stated that artificial intelligence should be called “superintelligence” (SI – Super Intelligence), arguing that this term “sounds much better” and better conveys its capabilities.
“Every new technology brings challenges, and this one is no exception,” he said, but he criticized those who warn of the dangers of AI, comparing those concerns to previous warnings about climate change.
“The same people who said we’d all die in 12 years due to global warming are the same ones who now say that artificial intelligence will destroy us and that robots will attack everyone,” he said.
Trump argued that the United States is “far ahead” of China and other countries in the field of artificial intelligence.
“I’m not going to stifle the development of something that many say will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution, perhaps even bigger than the Internet,” he said.
Opposition to a Global Carbon Tax on Shipping
The U.S. president also referred to his administration’s opposition to efforts by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish a global mechanism for taxing carbon emissions in shipping.
Trump argued that he was “forced to intervene” to stop a “costly tax” that, he said, was being pushed by a UN agency.
He also made special mention of his wife, Melania Trump, and her efforts to reunite Ukrainian children who have been separated from their families. This remark was met with applause from the General Assembly hall.
